--- This list is for research and sharing of information on those people who came to New England on the first ships, their lives, why they came here, their ancestors and descendants wherever they may be, as well as those who married into these families. The ships include the Mayflower, the Fortune, the Anne and the Little James.

There are many mailing lists and message boards focusing on the individual surnames of many of these people but this list brings them together so we can study them as a group, as family units, and as individuals.

Feel free to create a database to share your information; use the files area to upload your gedcom or other genealogical or historical document; the photos area to display your ancestors connected with these lines or artwork relating to early colonial New England; and the links area to promote your favorite websites.

And of course I encourage all to participate in the daily discussions. ---

I'm very excited about the future of the FirstShips list and I expect it will be a great success.

There are many discussion areas for Mayflower descendants and I felt there was a need for a list to discuss all the people of that group who first came to New England including those who came on The Fortune, The Anne and The Little James. Thus this list was created.